Can John Mateer return Oklahoma to its former glory? (Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)
This week, Alabama players suggest they will be more comfortable in Year Two of the Kalen DeBoer era; Texas has landed a commitment from five-star recruit Tyler Atkinson, considered the top outside linebacker in the 2026 class; and former five-star QB recruit Jackson Arnold is hoping to put his struggles at Oklahoma past him now that he’s at Auburn. With just over a month until the season begins, other college football stories we’re tracking include…
John Mateer to the Rescue
The Oklahoma Sooners won six straight Big 12 titles from 2015 to 2020 and then compiled an 11-win effort in 2021 before Coach Lincoln Riley left to go to USC.
It’s been a tough road for the Sooners since then as they managed just a half dozen wins in Brent Venables’ first season (2022) before getting back to double digits in 2023. Last year, however, Oklahoma shifted into the powerful SEC and were held to six wins thanks to an underwhelming 2-6 conference mark.
However, with Washington State transfer John Mateer taking over as the starting quarterback from the aforementioned Arnold this season, there’s reason for optimism. His arrival should help turn things around for an offense that was barely in the 100 in the country with just 24 points per game.
Last year, Mateer became the starter at WSU, and while his numbers weren’t as brilliant as he showed in very limited action in his first two seasons (when he acted as Cam Ward’s backup… and by the way, Ward has high expectations for Mateer — see video below), they were still very impressive. One concern for Mateer is when WR Javonnie Gibson (another big portal addition) will recover from a broken leg suffered in spring practice.
On the plus side for Mateer, he’ll have some continuity under new OU OC Ben Arbuckle, who also shifted over from the Cougars this offseason. A Michael Pratt type of QB, Mateer excels in the rush/scramble component of the game (he forced 55 missed tackles last season), but needs to improve the consistency of his short passing.
If Mateer builds on his 2024 season – especially against high-level SEC opponents – and shores up his weaknesses, don’t be surprised if he goes higher than the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Aggies’ Offense Should be Superb
Still in the SEC, the Texas A&M Aggies have made progression since bottoming out in 2022 with just five wins – its worst season since 2008. In 2023, they got back to playing winning football with seven wins, returning to a Bowl game after a two-year absence. Last season, the Aggies upped that to eight victories, at one point ranking as high as No. 10 in the country.
Texas A&M is a solid bet to win at least this many games again this season, and is currently +3700 to win the National Championship as per FanDuel.
The program gets a big boost this season with the long-awaited return to health of running back Rueben Owens. After a promising freshman year in which he ran for 385 yards, he was limited to 16 carries and 61 yards last season thanks to a Lisfranc fracture.
Owens’ return should help the Aggies have a dynamic run game and an offense that could be among the top 10 in the country. A former five-star recruit, he’s currently projected to be an UDFA following the 2026 draft, but he could change that by staying healthy and enjoying a breakout campaign this year. After all, just three years ago, Owens looked like a Rashaad Penny type destined to be a first rounder.
RotoRob Tune of the Day
When the Pretenders started, the lineup consisted of main founder and songwriter Chrissie Hynde, lead guitarist James Honeyman-Scott, bassist Pete Farndon and drummer Martin Chambers. In 1982, they enjoyed their biggest U.S. hit with “Back On the Chain Gang,” a tune that reached No. 5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.